Door closer and check



April 26, 1949. L. L. scHAcHT DOOR CLOSER AND CHECK Filed Aug. 27, 1947 4 5; h6/4'@ ze" Patented Apr. 26, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT vOFFICE 12 Claims.

This invention relates to a spring-closing mechanism for doors, particularly of the type having a pivot post extending downwardly from the lower edge of the door and an axially aligned pivot post extending upwardly from its upperL edge, the pivot posts being pivotally mounted in the floor and the upper lintel of the door opening, respectively. The mechanism serves to maintain the door in closed position, and is additionally provided with means for checking or slowing the rapidity of closing.

The closing and checking mechanism may be located in the floor (or lintel), or it may be contained within the door itself, either at its lower or upper portion. For facility in illustration, the closing and checking mechanism of this invention is shown set in the floor and operating upon the door through the floor pivot post, although it will be understood that it may be applied to any of the alternate locations enumerated,

The improved closing and checking mechanism may be applied to double-acting doors, i. e., which open both inwardly and outwardly, substantially 90 in each direction so that the total extent of turning is substantially 180, or it may be applied to single-acting doors, i. e., which open in only one direction, either inwardly or outwardly, substantially 90 in each case. The invention is shown and described as applied to both double-acting and single-acting door.

The principal object of the invention is to provide e.. door closing mechanism (or a door closing and checkin-g mechanism) which will exert the greatest (spring) pressure upon the door when it is in its closed position. The closed position of a single-acting door will be at one limit of its 90 angle of opening; the closed position of a double-acting door will be at the mid-point, or 90 point, of its 180 angle of opening. In door xtures as heretofore commonly made, a spring or other member is tensioned, compressed, or otherwise altered in a manner to build up a force counteracting the manual force applied to open the door, tending to turning the door in the opposite sense, i. e., towards its closed position. This closing force is irlcreased, from a minimum value in the closed position, substantially directly with the manual opening movement imparted to the door, reaching a maximum value when in the fully opened position. In the common door iixture, therefore, the minimum closing pressure is applied when the door is in its closed position.

In the improved door closing mechanism of this invention, on the other hand, the greatest4 "c1osing pressure is exerted by the mechanism,`

not when the door is in .open position, but when it is in closed position, i. e., in the position of the door when the closing force is most wanted to maintain the door closed. This feature of maximum application of closing pressure in the closed position of the door is especially A'desirous in doors or the latchless type, notably .glass doors. Doors of this type are maintained in closed positioni. e., when not positively locked or boltedonly by the pressure exterted `by the door closing mechanism. By reason of the fact that the minimum closing pressure is exterted when the door is in ciosed position, doors, especially of the latchless type, implemented with the common closing mechanism, will rattle when subjected to slight gusts of Wind or changes in air pressure. This is especially noticeable in the case Iof outside or entrance doors. This wind rattling had become a serious problem in connection with modern 'al1- glass lobby or store doors. The improved door closing mechanism of this invention entirely eliminates wind rattling for the reasons stated above.

This problem of rattling of latchless and other types of doors cannot be overcome by merely increasing the tension or compression of the closing element. This is because, if suicient tension or compression is applied to the door when in its closed position in order to hold it against rattling, the amount of force required to open the door, especially to its fully opened position, will be too great for the average person to apply in opening the door` This is, of course, due to the :fact that in the yordinary door closing fixture, the tension or compression of the closing element is increased proportionally to the extent of door opening, reaching a maximum in the full opened position. In the limproved device of this invention, on the other hand, the maximum force required to maintain the door against rattling can be imposed .on the device; as pointed out above, as the door is opened, this tension or compression is decreased, rather than increased, so that there is not present in the improved device the objection that an increased force will be required to open the door.

For the attainment of the foregoing and such other objects as may appear or be pointed out herein, I have shown a preferred embodiment of my invention in the accompany-ing drawing,

` wherein:

Fig. l is a top view of the improved door closing and checking mechanism as applied to a double-acting door, shown in closed position;

Fig. 2 is a front sectional elevation taken substantially on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a top view of the left portion, Fig. 1, of the mechanism, showing the parts when the door is opened counterclockwise about llc;

Fig. 4 is a top view similar to Fig. 3 but showing the parts when the door is fully opened (90) clockwise; and

Fig. 5 is a top view of the improved closing and checking mechanism as applied to a single-acting door, ythe door being in closed position.

As mentioned in the statement of invention, the improved door closing (and checking) mechanism of this invention will be shown for disposition in the floor o-r threshold, although it may be placed in the other locations enumerated above. The mechanism is contained within a shallow casing s, which is embedded in the floor with the upper surface thereof at the oor level. The upper surface of casing 9, although shown open in the drawing, will be, of course, closed by a plate (not shown) which is apertured for the lower pivot post 2 of the door. As explained in the statement of invention, this type of door is pivotally mounted by a lower pivot post, such as 2, supported in a bearing in the threshold plate or floor and an axially aligned pivot post (not shown) in the door lintel, so that the doordesignated |A in Fig. 3 and |B in Fig. 4-may turn on said pivot posts. As best shown in Fig. 2, pivot post or door spindle 2 has a. reduced portion 3 at `its lower end which is mounted in a ball bearing 4 secured to a plate 5 fastened to the floor of casing 9.

Considering first the double-acting door of Figs. 1 to 4, there are provided a spring i0 which is acted upon, as will be explained, when the door is opened in 'a clockwise sense (as viewed in the gures and which, for this reason, will be referred to as the clockwise spring-and a similar spring I9 which is acted upon when the door is opened in the opposite or counterclockwise sense. The two springs I0, I0 are similar, so that the ensuing description of the clockwise spring Hl applies equally to the counterclockwise spring IG', the parts of which are designated similarly except that the reference characters are primed.

Clockwise spring I0 is a helical compression spring disposed between a transverse plate 8 of casing or housing 9 and a washer 2| and nut 22 at the threaded right end of a rod 2G. Rod 2|) is slidable in an aperture 3a in casing plate 53 and has a flattened portion j at its left end, see Fig. 2, so that the upper surface of flat 20j may abut the under surface of a transverse bar Sil, subsequently described, and so that the under surface of flat 20j may abut the upper surface of a lower connecting link '2f-l, also subsequently described. That is, the left end of rod 20 and the right ends of a pair of parallel links 23, 24, which are disposed vertically one above the other, Fig. 2, are articulated together and to a transverse ba-r 3l). This triple articulation is achieved by a pin 3|. As best shown in Fig. 1, the rod 2e' and links 2.3', Ztl of the counterclockwise spring Iii are articulated to one end of transverse b'ar at pin 3| while the rod 2l] and links 23, 24 of the clockwise spring i0 are articulated to the other end of transverse bar 30 at pin 3|.

Between distal ends of links 23, 2d is rotatably mounted a roller 25. The roller 25 associated with the clockwise links 23, 24 and spring It and the roller 25 associated with the counterclock-wise links 23', 24 and spring I0 both cooperate with a cam plate Il which is secured to turn with the door spindle 2. Cam Il, as

clearly seen in Fig. 1, is symmetrical about the longitudinal 'axis of the device and has a cam prole l2 for the clockwise roller 25 and a cam profile I2' for the counterclockwise roller 25. Cam plate l is so disposed relative to door spindle 2 that when the door is in closed position, as in Fig. 1, the cam plate will be disposed substantially transversely or normal to the longitudinal axis of the mechanism, so that the clockwise cam profile l2 and the counterclockwise cam profile i2 are symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal axis.

Between the transverse bar 3D and the casing plate 8 are provided a regulating nut 2t on the clockwise rod .2B and a similar nut 2% on the counterclockwise rod 20', the rods being threaded, Fig. 2, for the nuts. Regulating nuts 26, 25' may be provided with radial holes 21, 21 to receive a pin, spanner wrench or other tool to facilitate turning thereof.

The clockwise coil spring 20 and the counterclockwise spring 20 are placed under the required amount of compression by regulating their respective lock nuts 22, 22', so that the necessary restraining force will be applied to the door `to maintain it in closed position against wind rattling and other disturbances. In the closed posi.- tion of the door, as shown in Fig. 1, the cam plate I| is maintained in its transverse position as shown by the force exterted by the clockwise spring l0 and the counterclockwise spring ID acting through their associated rod, links and roller, respectively 2|), 2324, 25, and 23', 23-24, 25', upon the distal ends of the cam plate or lever That is, any tendency to open the door in a clockwise direction will be met and counterbalanced by the compressed clockwise spring il), which, acting on the lower (as shown in Fig. 1) distal end of cam lever l l, tends to turn the lever and the door in a counterclockwise direction; 'any tendency to open the door in a counterclockwise direction will be met and counterb'alanced by the compressed "counterclockwise spring l0 which, acting on the upper, Fig. 1, distal end of cam lever tends to turn it and the door in a clockwise direction. Hence between the two opposing forces, the door is held rmly in its closed position.

To maintain the door precisely in its closed position, the springs H), Ill must exert equal force on the cam lever Il, or rather, the same turning torque or moment. The regulating nuts 26, 293' are adjusted until the door is brought into the precise closed position. In this position, the comlpression springs l0, i0' will exert their maximum pressure on the respective regulating nuts 26, 26 which abut the transverse bar 3U of the housing. The surfaces 26-30 and 2-3|J therefore constitute the normal abutments of the rods 20, 2|. This means that, in the closed position of the door, as in Fig. 1, the rollers 25, 25 will exert no force on cam plate But if the door should be opened the slightest extent, in either direction, the springs Il); I0 will immediately exert a restraining force upon the door, through the rollers 25, 25 acting on cam plate Il,

But if a force greater than that exerted by the springs Ill, IIJ is applied to the door for the purpose of opening it, the force thus initially overcome will be the maximum. That is to say, the force (of springs I0, |0) required to be overcome in opening the door wide or to the fullest extent will decrease, rather than increase (as would be `the case in devices heretofore made, as pointed out above). This decrease in restraining force 'results from the construction of cam pla-te I i and lts two cam profiles l2, il' which are so designed that the lever ann of the rollers 25, is greatest in the closed position of the door, as in Fig. l. It will 'be seen from this figure that the rollers 25, 25" are disposed at the outer or distal end of their respective earn profiles I2, l2', which means that the torque applied by their springs I-Il, Il' is at its maximum value. As the door continues to 'be opened, the roller which is oalied into play (depending upon the direction of door opening), will approach the inner or proximal end of its cam profile. For example, door IA has been turned counterclockwise to a 45 open position. Gpening ofthe door in this direction puts countercloc'kwise spring IB into operation due to the coaction of cam profile l2" of cam plate Il upon roller 25' of the rod 20", causing rod 2Q' to be pulled outward to the 'left in Fig. 3, thus compressing the spring IU'. it will be noted from Fig. 3 that the roller 25' is now disposed nearer to the proximal end of cam profile I2 and the center of pivot post 2, than in Fig. 1 (closed door position). Accordingly, the spring I0" will exert a reduced closing torque upon the door, because of the reduced lever arm of roller 25'.

Oi course, in the opening turning of the door, the compression force oi spring I Il' (or l0) increases with the angle of door opening. But the improved device is designed so that the decrease in closing torque due to the reduced lever arm (at roller 25') is greater than the increase in the conipression force of spring I0". In certain instances, `the increase in spring compression force and the decrease in lever arm may be made to substantaIly balance one another so that the closing 4torque remains substantially constant.

As the door is continued to be opened from its 45 opening position (Fig. 3) the roller, 25' or 25, approaches the proximal end of its respective cam 'prole I2', I2 until it rests at that end in the fully opened (90) position of the door. This is shown in Fig. 4 wherein the door IB has been tur-ned clockwise to its fully opened (90) position, thus putting clockwise spring Il) into play by pulling rod 2D outwardly. It will be noted that roller 25 is now at the inner or ,proximal end of its cam profile I2 (at which point the lever arm is at its minimum).

It will be observed that the earn plate II moves away from the roller of the spring assemblage that is not brought into play. For example, in the oounterclockwise opening oi door IA in 3, the counterclockwise spring I0' comes into operation; cam profile l2 of cam plate lI I turns counterclockwise away from roller .25 (of the "clockwise assemblage). In the clockwise opening of door IB in Fig. 4, the clockwise spring Hl comes into operation; cam profile I2" turns clockwise .away from roller 25' (of the counterolockwise assemblage).

The purpose in curving the links 23 V(2li), 7.3' (24') is to enable the distal portions of the links, i. e., adjacent to the rollers '25. 25', to clear the pivot post 2, in the fully opened door position, as clearly shown in Fig. 4.

The transverse bar is spaced away from the regulating nuts 2B, 26', see Fig. l, so as to provide Ill) .[16 of the transverse bar abuts regulating nut 26, the bar turning slightly on this point. When the door iB is opened clockwise, Fig. 4, end 300C' of the transverse bar abuts regulating nut 26", the bar turning slightly on this point.

The transverse bar 30 is required -for the purpose of associating the dampening means (nerd: to be described) with the door closing means. If the dampening means were omitted, there would be no need for transverse bar 30 (nor is it required in the single-acting door, Fig. 5, subsequently described).

The dampening means comprises an oil cylinder 43 in which slides a piston 42 articulated to a piston rod 40, the other end portion of which is connected to a central point 4l of transverse bar 3|). The inlet 44 to the oil cylinder has a check ball 45, while the outlet 46 has a regulating screw 41. On the pivot post 2 is secured a heartshaped cam 6 which eng-ages the distal (left in 'the figures) end of piston rod When the door is opened, for example, counterclockwise, Fig. 3, the turning of the transverse bar 30 (about its end 30C in Fig. 3; or it may be its end SUCC in Fig. 4) causes (in either case, Fig. 3 or Fig. 4) an outward movementto the leit-of piston rod 4I). This leftward or outward movement of the piston rod is the suction stroke of piston 42, during which cylinder 4'3 takes in oil through inlet 44. The 'heartshaped cam 5 turns with the pivot post 2.. thus getting out of the way of the left vend of piston rod 4I), see Fig. 3 and also Fig. 4. When, how ever, the door is being closed, in the example., turned clockwise in Fig. 3, the heart-shaped cam 8 pushes against the end of piston rod 40 and forces it rightwardly. Rightward movement of piston rod 4I) and piston 42 is resisted and slowed down by the escape of oil through restricted outlet 46.

The improved door clos-ing and checking device, explained in Figs. 1 to 4, with reference to a double-acting door, may be applied to a singleacting door, as in Fig. 5, which happens to 'be for a door which opens in a counterclockwiso direction. The parts are similar to those associated with counterclockwise'y spring -of the double-acting door of Figs. 1-4 and are similarly designated, with the following exceptions.. The cam plate IIJ: comprises only that half of cam plate II, Figs. 1 4. which has the counter-clockwise cam profile I2". No transverse bar (30, Figs. 1 4) is required and no dampening cam (such as B., Figs. 1-4) .is secured to the pivot post. Instead, the piston 42a of dampening cylinder 43.1: is secured directly to the rod .20.

sulicient clearance for' the `respective ends of the transverse bar. The respective end of the transverse bar, when the door is turned from its closed position, abuts the associated regulating nut 26, 26'; this point of abutment 'becomes the pivot point lfor the bar. For example, when the door IA is opened counterclockwlse, Fig. 3, end 30C I claim:

1. A device of the cla-ss described for a door having .a pivot post, comprising, in combination, ahousing having a plate disposed transversely of the longitudinal axis of the housing and provided with openings, a pair of rods disposed on either side of said longitudinal axis and clearing through said plate openings, vand provided with lock nuts at one end thereoa cam plate secured .to said pivot post having a pair of cam profiles symmetrically disposed on either side of said 'longitudinal axis. .a pair of links articulated to respective ones of said rods, a pair of rollers disposed at 'the distal end of said links and seated in respective ones of saidv cam proles, regulating nuts adjustably disposed on respective ones of said rods at the side of said housing plate fac.- ing said link articulations, a pair of compression springs disposed about respective ones of said rods and interposed between the opposite side of the housing plate and said lock nuts for urging said pair of rods in a direction to abut their said regulating nuts against the housing plate, the lock nuts being adjusted to predetermine the compressive force exerted upon the rods, and the regulating nuts being adjusted to position said rollers relative to their respective cam profiles to maintain the door in precise closed position by the restraint imposed by the respective compression springs.

2. A door device of the class described, comprising, in combination, a housing, a pair of rods disposed on either side of the longitudinal axis of said housing, and provided with lock nuts at one end thereof, a cam plate secured to turn with the door having a pair of cam profiles symmetrically disposed on either side of said longitudinal axis, a pair of links articulated to respective ones of said rods, a pair of rollers disposed at the distal end of said links and seated in respective ones of said cam profiles, abutments secured to said housing, regulating nuts adjustably disposed on respective ones of said rods at the side of said abutments facing said link articulations, a pair of compression springs disposed about respective ones of said rods and interposed between the opposite side of the abutments and said lock nuts for urging said pair of rods in a direction to abut their said regulating nuts against the abutments, the lock nuts being adjusted to predetermine the compressive force exerted upon the rods, and the regulating nuts being adjusted to position said rollers relative to their respective cam profiles to maintain the door in precise closed position by the restraint imposed by the respective compression springs.

3. A door device of the class described, comprising, in combination, a housing, a pair of rods disposed on either side of the longitudinal axis of said housing, a cam plate secured to turn with the door, having a pair of cam profiles symmetrically disposed on either lside of said longitudinal axis, a pair of links articulated to respective ones of said rods, a pair of rollers disposed at the distal end of said links and seated in respective ones of said cam profiles, abutment-s secured to said housing, regulating nuts adjustably disposed on respective ones of said rods at the side of said abutments facing said link articui' lations, a pair of compression springs disposed about respective ones of said rods and abutting the opposite side of the abutments for urging said pair of rods in a direction to abut their said regulating nuts against the abutment, the regulating nuts being adjusted to position said rollers relative to their respective cam profiles to maintain the door in precise closed position by the restraint imposed by the respective compression springs.

4. A door device of the class described, comprising, in combination, a housing having anr abutment, a rod disposed longitudinally of the housing and provided with alock nutrat one end thereof, a cam plate secured to turn'with the door, a link articulated to said rod, a roller disposed at the distal end of said link and coacting with said cam, a regulating nut adjustably disposed on said rod at the side of said abutment facing said link articulation of the roda compression spring disposed about Isaid rod and interposed between the opposite side of the abutment and said lock nut for urging said rod in a direction to abut its said regulating nut against the abutment, the lock nut being adjusted to predetermine the compresslve force exerted upon the rod, andthe regu- Cil lating nut being adjusted to position said roller relative to the cam to maintain the door in precise closed position by the restraint imposed by the compression spring.

5. A door device of the class described, comprising, in combination, a housing, a pair of rods disposed on either side of the longitudinal axis of said housing, a cam plate secured to turn with the door, having a pair of cam profiles symmetrically disposed on either side of said longitudinal axis, a pair of links articulated to respective ones of said rods, a pair of rollers disposed at the distal end of said links and seated in respective ones of said cam proles, abutments secured to said housing, regulating nuts adjustably disposed on respective ones of said rods at the side of said abutments facing said link articulations, a pair of compression springs disposed about respective ones of said rods andabutting the opposite side of the abutments for urging said pair of rods in a direction to abut their said regulating nuts against the abutment, a bar disposed transversely of said casing axis and operatively connected to said pair of rods at their said link articulations, and a rod disposed centrally' of the housing and articulated at the medial point of said transverse bar, whereby turning of the door in either direction cau-ses a movement of the central rod in the same direction.

6. The combination according to claim 5 wherein the adjacent edge of said transverse bar is spaced from said abutments to provide clearance for turning of one end of the transverse bar when the other end is moved away from the abutment by said cam.

'7. The combination according to claim 5 fur,- ther provided with a dampening means including an oil cylinder and a piston, said central rod being operatively connected to the piston.

8. A door device of the class describedcom prising, in combination, a housing having an abutment, a rod disposed longitudinally of the housing and provided with a lock nut at one end thereof, a cam plate secured to turn with the door, a link ,articulated to said rod,- a rollerv disposed yat the distal end of said link and coacting with said cam, a regulating nut adjustably disposed on said rod at the side of said abutment facing said link articulations of the rods, a `compression spring disposed about said rod and interposed betweenthe opposite side of the abutment and said lock nut for urging said rod in a direction to abut its said regulating nut against the abutment, and a dampening means including an oil cylinder and a piston, the end of said rod being operatively connected to the piston.

9. A closing and checking device for a door having a pivot post, comprising, in combination, a housing, a pair of rods disposed on either side of the longitudinal axis of the housing, a cam plate secured to said pivot post having a pair of cam profiles symmetrically disposed on either side of said longitudinal axis, a pair of links artic ulated to respective ones of said rods, apair of rollers disposed at :the distal end of said links and seated in respective ones of said cam proles, a pair of compression springs disposed about respective ones of said rods'for urging the rods in a direction to press their respective rollers in en# gagement with said cam profiles.

. '(10. A closing and checking device for a door having a pivot post, comprising,- in combination', a housing, a pair of rods disposed on either side of the longitudinal axis of the housing, a cam' platel secured to said pivotpost having a pair of cai-n proles symmetrically disposed on either side of said longitudinal axis, a pair of links articulated to respective ones of said rods, a pair of rol-1ers disposed at the distal end of said links and seated in respective ones of said cam profiles, a pair of compression springs disposed about respective ones of said rods i or urging the rods in a direction to press their respective rollers in engagement with said cam profiles, a bar disposed transversely of said housing axis and operatively connected to said pair of rods at their said link articulations, abutments secured to the housing, and a rod disposed centrally of the housing and articulated at the medial point of said transverse bar, one end of said bar engaging one abutment when the other end of the bar is moved by said cam, whereby the bar is turned to move said central rod in the same direction irrespective of the direction of door opening.

11. A closing and checking device for a door having a pivot post, comprising, in combination, a housing, a pair of rods disposed on either side of the longitudinal axis, of the housing, a cam plate secured to said pivot post having a pair of cam profiles symmetrically disposed on either side of said longitudinal axis, a pair of links articulated to respective ones of said rods, a pair of rollers disposed at the distal end of said links and seated in respective ones of said cam proles, a pair of compression springs disposed about respective ones of said rods for urging the rods in a direction to press their respective rollers in engagement with said cam proles, a bar disposed transversely of said housing axis and operatively connected to said pair of rods at their said link articulations, dampening means including a piston rod, said rod being disposed on said housing axis and articulated centrally to said transverse bar, whereby opening of the door in either direction will move the piston rod in one direction, and cam means secured to said pivot post for moving the piston rod in the opposite direction. 5 12. A closing device for a door having a pivot post, comprising, in combination, a housing, a pair of rods disposed on either side of the longitudinal axis of the housing, a cam plate secured to said pivot post having a pair of cam profiles symmetrically disposed on either side of said longitudinal axis, a pair of links articulated to respective ones of said rods, a pair of rollers disposed at the distal ends of said links and cooperative with respective ones of said cam proles, and spring means associated with said rods for pressing their respective rollers into engagement with the respective cam proles, whereby a torque is imposed upon said cam tending to close the door, each of said cam proles being adapted to move its cooperative roller towards said pivot post whereby the moment arm is reduced to decrease said closing torque.

LOUIS L. SCHACHT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 962,916 Regan June 28, 1910 1,064,256 Rixson June 10, 1913 1,079,763 Henry Nov. 25, 1913 1,120,544 Rosentreter Dec. 8, 1914 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 6,063/32 Australia Feb. 13, 1933 

